A Microchip-Based Multianalyte Assay System for the Assessment of Cardiac Risk

Abstract

The development of a novel chip-based multianalyte detection system with a cardiac theme is reported. This work follows the initial reports of "electronic taste chips" whereby multiple solution-phase analytes such as acids, bases, metal cations, and biological cofactors were detected and quantitated. The newly fashioned "cardiac chip" exploits a geometry that allows for isolation and entrapment of single polymeric spheres in micromachined pits while providing to each bead the rapid introduction of a series of reagents/washes through microfluidic structures. The combination of these miniaturized components fosters the completion of complex assays with short analysis times using small sample volumes. Optical signals derived from single beads are used to complete immunological tests that yield outstanding assay characteristics. The power and utility of this new methodology is demonstrated here for the simultaneous detection of the cardiac risk factors, C-reactive protein and interleukin-6, in human serum samples. This demonstration represents the first important step toward the development of a useful cardiac chip that targets numerous risk factors concurrently and one that can be customized readily for specific clinical settings.

Roughened silver electrodes for use in metal-enhanced fluorescence

“…The present observation of enhanced fluorescence on roughened silver electrodes indicates that a variety of methods can now be used to form particulate silver, which retains its enhancing properties. This versatility can be useful in the many envisaged analytical applications of metal-enhanced fluorescence, such as in microfluidic and lab-on-a-chip based sensing [31][32][33]. Silver growth on the silver cathode as a function of time, visualized using transmitted light.…”

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“…In these previous works it became apparent that for MEF to occur, there is a need to localize the fluorophore (or species of interest) in regions in close proximity to the silver surface. However, in many applications of fluorescence, it would be advantageous to have localized silver deposition for spatially selective analysis, such as for lab-on-a-chip technologies [10,11]. Localized silver colloid formation has been accomplished with reagents in laminar flow [12], by nanolithography [13,14], and by electroplating on insulators [15].…”

Programmable Bio-NanoChip Technology for the Diagnosis of Cardiovascular Disease at the Point of Care

“…toward this goal, we have worked to improve the current state of PoC ivd through the development, validation, and implementation of P-BnCs ( Figure 1a). [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] the "programmability" feature of the system refers to the capacity of the sensor ensemble to function as a standard platform that can be reprogrammed to serve a new application by inserting a molecular-level code (i.e., the biomarker-specific reagents). the "bio" terminology refers to the capacity to measure and extract the bio-signatures associated with the disease progression.…”